Man stabbed in brawl outside fast food restaurant

Published: Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 7:50 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 7:50 p.m.

A 35-year-old man from Brooker was arrested Saturday morning after police said he stabbed a Gainesville man who was seated in his car in the McDonald’s drive-thru at 201 NW 13th St.

A Gainesville Police Department report gave this account: Xavier Cummings of 16804 SW County Road 18 began arguing with three people in a vehicle at the restaurant.

Cummings and Matthew Ellis of 8401 NW 13th St. approached the car and witnesses told police they saw Cummings hold a folded knife behind his back.

All five people began fighting, and one of the men was stabbed below his left ear, causing nerve damage to the left side of his face. He also suffered stab wounds on his left lower back, right thumb and the back of his left hamstring.

Cummings told police the victim punched him and that he used the knife for self-defense. He said he left the knife at the scene. The knife was not recovered.

Cummings was arrested at 2:40 a.m. on Saturday on a charge of aggravated battery.

<p>A 35-year-old man from Brooker was arrested Saturday morning after police said he stabbed a Gainesville man who was seated in his car in the McDonald's drive-thru at 201 NW 13th St.</p><p>A Gainesville Police Department report gave this account: Xavier Cummings of 16804 SW County Road 18 began arguing with three people in a vehicle at the restaurant.</p><p>Cummings and Matthew Ellis of 8401 NW 13th St. approached the car and witnesses told police they saw Cummings hold a folded knife behind his back.</p><p>All five people began fighting, and one of the men was stabbed below his left ear, causing nerve damage to the left side of his face. He also suffered stab wounds on his left lower back, right thumb and the back of his left hamstring.</p><p>Cummings told police the victim punched him and that he used the knife for self-defense. He said he left the knife at the scene. The knife was not recovered.</p><p>Cummings was arrested at 2:40 a.m. on Saturday on a charge of aggravated battery.</p>